AB 341: School field trips: expenses.
- Session Year: 2017-2018
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2017-07-10
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. Existing law prohibits school districts from paying expenses of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
This bill would delete that prohibition. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. Existing law prohibits school districts from paying expenses of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
This bill would delete that prohibition. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
Existing law authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. Existing law prohibits school districts from paying expenses of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
This bill would delete that prohibition. The bill would also make related findings and declarations.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The local control funding formula identifies pupil engagement as one of the eight state priorities that must be addressed by each school district.
(b)Several studies conducted on the efficacy of field trips show that field trips can help improve pupils chances for lifelong success. A 2013 study by The Wagner Group, conducted as part of the United States Travel Associations Travel Effect campaign, found that pupils who took more educational trips earned better grades and were more likely to graduate.
(c)Pupils participate in innovative educational activities that include representation and competition across the United States, including trips by marching bands participating in nationally televised parades, robotics teams participating in world competitions, and career technical student organizations attending national competitions.
(d)Under existing law, a pupil enrolled in a public school shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity, and school districts are prohibited from paying the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
(e)Since 2011, the State Board of Education has approved eight waivers authorizing a school district to pay the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
SEC. 2.Section 35330 of the Education Code is amended to read:35330.(a)The governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county may:
(1)Conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. A field trip or excursion to and from a foreign country may be permitted to familiarize pupils with the language, history, geography, natural sciences, and other studies relative to the districts course of study for pupils.
(2)Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
(3)Transport by use of district equipment, contract to provide transportation, or arrange transportation by the use of other equipment, of pupils, instructors, supervisors or other personnel to and from places in the state, another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country where those excursions and field trips are being conducted, provided that, when district equipment is used, the governing board shall secure liability insurance, and if travel is to and from a foreign country, liability insurance shall be secured from a carrier licensed to transact insurance business in the foreign country.
(4)Provide supervision of pupils involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
(b)(1)No pupil shall be prevented from making the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds. To this end, the governing board shall coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for pupils in need.
(2)No group shall be authorized to take a field trip or excursion authorized by this section if a pupil who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
(c)(1)The attendance or participation of a pupil in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section shall be considered attendance for the purpose of crediting attendance for apportionments from the State School Fund in the fiscal year. Credited attendance resulting from a field trip or excursion shall be limited to the amount of attendance that would have accrued had the pupils not been engaged in the field trip or excursion.
(2)Credited attendance shall not exceed 10 schooldays except in the case of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion in connection with courses of instruction, or school-related educational activities, and that are not social, cultural, athletic, or school band activities.
(d)All persons making the field trip or excursion shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the district, a charter school, or the State of California for injury, accident, illness, or death occurring during or by reason of the field trip or excursion. All adults taking out-of-state field trips or excursions and all parents or guardians of pupils taking out-of-state field trips or excursions shall sign a statement waiving all claims.
(e)No transportation allowances shall be made by the Superintendent for expenses incurred with respect to field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination. A school district that transports pupils, teachers, or other employees of the school district in schoolbuses within the state and to destinations within the state, pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall report to the Superintendent on forms prescribed by him or her the total mileage of schoolbuses used in connection with educational excursions. In computing the allowance to a school district for regular transportation there shall be deducted from that allowance an amount equal to the depreciation of schoolbuses used for the transportation in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Superintendent.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The local control funding formula identifies pupil engagement as one of the eight state priorities that must be addressed by each school district.
(b)Several studies conducted on the efficacy of field trips show that field trips can help improve pupils chances for lifelong success. A 2013 study by The Wagner Group, conducted as part of the United States Travel Associations Travel Effect campaign, found that pupils who took more educational trips earned better grades and were more likely to graduate.
(c)Pupils participate in innovative educational activities that include representation and competition across the United States, including trips by marching bands participating in nationally televised parades, robotics teams participating in world competitions, and career technical student organizations attending national competitions.
(d)Under existing law, a pupil enrolled in a public school shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity, and school districts are prohibited from paying the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
(e)Since 2011, the State Board of Education has approved eight waivers authorizing a school district to pay the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
SEC. 2.Section 35330 of the Education Code is amended to read:35330.(a)The governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county may:
(1)Conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. A field trip or excursion to and from a foreign country may be permitted to familiarize pupils with the language, history, geography, natural sciences, and other studies relative to the districts course of study for pupils.
(2)Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
(3)Transport by use of district equipment, contract to provide transportation, or arrange transportation by the use of other equipment, of pupils, instructors, supervisors or other personnel to and from places in the state, another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country where those excursions and field trips are being conducted, provided that, when district equipment is used, the governing board shall secure liability insurance, and if travel is to and from a foreign country, liability insurance shall be secured from a carrier licensed to transact insurance business in the foreign country.
(4)Provide supervision of pupils involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
(b)(1)No pupil shall be prevented from making the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds. To this end, the governing board shall coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for pupils in need.
(2)No group shall be authorized to take a field trip or excursion authorized by this section if a pupil who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
(c)(1)The attendance or participation of a pupil in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section shall be considered attendance for the purpose of crediting attendance for apportionments from the State School Fund in the fiscal year. Credited attendance resulting from a field trip or excursion shall be limited to the amount of attendance that would have accrued had the pupils not been engaged in the field trip or excursion.
(2)Credited attendance shall not exceed 10 schooldays except in the case of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion in connection with courses of instruction, or school-related educational activities, and that are not social, cultural, athletic, or school band activities.
(d)All persons making the field trip or excursion shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the district, a charter school, or the State of California for injury, accident, illness, or death occurring during or by reason of the field trip or excursion. All adults taking out-of-state field trips or excursions and all parents or guardians of pupils taking out-of-state field trips or excursions shall sign a statement waiving all claims.
(e)No transportation allowances shall be made by the Superintendent for expenses incurred with respect to field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination. A school district that transports pupils, teachers, or other employees of the school district in schoolbuses within the state and to destinations within the state, pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall report to the Superintendent on forms prescribed by him or her the total mileage of schoolbuses used in connection with educational excursions. In computing the allowance to a school district for regular transportation there shall be deducted from that allowance an amount equal to the depreciation of schoolbuses used for the transportation in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Superintendent.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)The local control funding formula identifies pupil engagement as one of the eight state priorities that must be addressed by each school district.
(b)Several studies conducted on the efficacy of field trips show that field trips can help improve pupils chances for lifelong success. A 2013 study by The Wagner Group, conducted as part of the United States Travel Associations Travel Effect campaign, found that pupils who took more educational trips earned better grades and were more likely to graduate.
(c)Pupils participate in innovative educational activities that include representation and competition across the United States, including trips by marching bands participating in nationally televised parades, robotics teams participating in world competitions, and career technical student organizations attending national competitions.
(d)Under existing law, a pupil enrolled in a public school shall not be required to pay a pupil fee for participation in an educational activity, and school districts are prohibited from paying the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
(e)Since 2011, the State Board of Education has approved eight waivers authorizing a school district to pay the expenses of a pupil participating in a field trip or excursion to any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country with school district funds.
SEC. 2.Section 35330 of the Education Code is amended to read:35330.(a)The governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county may:
(1)Conduct field trips or excursions in connection with courses of instruction or school-related social, educational, cultural, athletic, or school band activities to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for pupils enrolled in elementary or secondary schools. A field trip or excursion to and from a foreign country may be permitted to familiarize students pupils with the language, history, geography, natural sciences, and other studies relative to the districts course of study for pupils.
(2)Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
(3)Transport by use of district equipment, contract to provide transportation, or arrange transportation by the use of other equipment, of pupils, instructors, supervisors or other personnel to and from places in the state, another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country where those excursions and field trips are being conducted, provided that, when district equipment is used, the governing board shall secure liability insurance, and if travel is to and from a foreign country, liability insurance shall be secured from a carrier licensed to transact insurance business in the foreign country.
(4)Provide supervision of pupils involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
(b)(1)No pupil shall be prevented from making the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds. To this end, the governing board shall coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for pupils in need.
(2)No group shall be authorized to take a field trip or excursion authorized by this section if a pupil who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
(3)No expenses of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion to other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country authorized by this section shall be paid with school district funds. Expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section may be paid from school district funds, and the school district may pay from school district funds all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during a field trip or excursion authorized by this section.(c)(1)The attendance or participation of a pupil in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section shall be considered attendance for the purpose of crediting attendance for apportionments from the State School Fund in the fiscal year. Credited attendance resulting from a field trip or excursion shall be limited to the amount of attendance that would have accrued had the pupils not been engaged in the field trip or excursion.
(2)Credited attendance shall not exceed 10 schooldays except in the case of pupils participating in a field trip or excursion in connection with courses of instruction, or school-related educational activities, and which that are not social, cultural, athletic, or school band activities.
(d)All persons making the field trip or excursion shall be deemed to have waived all claims against the district, a charter school, or the State of California for injury, accident, illness, or death occurring during or by reason of the field trip or excursion. All adults taking out-of-state field trips or excursions and all parents or guardians of pupils taking out-of-state field trips or excursions shall sign a statement waiving all claims.
No
(e)No transportation allowances shall be made by the Superintendent for expenses incurred with respect to field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination. A school district that transports pupils, teachers, or other employees of the school district in schoolbuses within the state and to destinations within the state, pursuant to the provisions of this section, shall report to the Superintendent on forms prescribed by him or her the total mileage of schoolbuses used in connection with educational excursions. In computing the allowance to a school district for regular transportation there shall be deducted from that allowance an amount equal to the depreciation of schoolbuses used for the transportation in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Superintendent.
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Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Jul 10, 2017 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 40, Statutes of 2017. |
| Jul 10, 2017 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Jun 26, 2017 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2:30 p.m. |
| Jun 22, 2017 | In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling. |
| Jun 22, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 1680.). |
| Jun 15, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| Jun 14, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (June 14). |
| Jun 1, 2017 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| May 18, 2017 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 18, 2017 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 69. Noes 0. Page 1621.) |
| May 15, 2017 | Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar. |
| May 11, 2017 | From committee: Do pass. To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 6. Noes 0.) (May 10). |
| Mar 22, 2017 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Feb 21, 2017 | Referred to Com. on ED. |
| Feb 8, 2017 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 10. |
| Feb 7, 2017 | Read first time. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22, 2017 | Consent Calendar 2nd AB341 | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 14, 2017 | Do pass and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
|
| May 18, 2017 | AB 341 FRAZIER Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 10, 2017 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Coalition Of Travel Organizations | ** Support | Jun 16, 2017 |
| California School Boards Association | ** Support | Jun 16, 2017 |
| Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District | ** Support | Jun 16, 2017 |
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB |
CONSENT
Bill No: AB 341
:
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/14/17
AYES: Allen, Wilk, Galgiani, Leyva, Mendoza, Pan, Vidak
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 69-0, 5/18/17 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SOURCE: Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
DIGEST:
This bill authorizes school district funds to be used to cover the expenses of pupils participating in field trips or excursions to other states, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country.
Existing law:
- Prohibits the assessment of student fees for participation in an educational activity in public K-12 schools.
- Authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to:
- Conduct field trips or excursions to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for students enrolled in elementary or secondary schools, and transport students and staff for this purpose, provided that the governing board secures liability insurance for this purpose.
- Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
- Provide supervision of students involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
- Prohibits a student from being prevented from taking a field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Requires governing boards to coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for students in need.
- Prohibits a group from being authorized to take a field trip or excursion if a student who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Prohibits expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country from being paid for with school district funds.
- States that expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section may be paid from school district funds and the school district may pay from school district funds all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during a field trip or excursion.
- Prohibits the Superintendent of Public Instruction from providing transportation allowances for field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination.
This bill:
- Removes the prohibition on school district funds being used to cover the expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country.
- Removes the authorization for expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country to be paid from school district funds, and the authorization to use school district funds for all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during the field trip or excursion.
Comments
- Need for the bill. The author states that “According to a study conducted by the Wagner Group and the U.S. Travel Association, students that have partaken in educational travel have benefited both academically and financially. Findings of the study include:
- 57% of students who participated in educational travel attained a college degree or continued post-graduate work compared to just 33% of those who did not participate in educational travel.
- 59% of those who take educational trips achieve better grades.
- Students who travel on educational trips in their youth earn nearly 12% more (or $5,000) annually later in their careers than those who do not travel.
Current law prohibits a pupil enrolled in a public school from paying fees for participation in educational activities.
This bill will provide school districts with the discretion to pay for out-of-state travel where appropriate which will increase student access to educational opportunities and improve the outcomes that students experience, leading to more successful careers and a better quality of life.”
- Local control over district funds? In 2013, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was enacted. The LCFF establishes per-pupil funding targets, with adjustments for different student grade levels, and includes supplemental funding for local educational agencies serving students who are low-income, English learners, or foster youth. The LCFF replaced almost all sources of state funding for local educational agencies, including most categorical programs, with general purpose funding including few spending restrictions.
While many of the spending restrictions associated with former categorical programs went away when the LCFF was adopted, the Education Code continues to include various restrictions on how school districts can design and fund certain services. School districts wishing to cover field trip expenses with district funds must apply for a waiver from the State Board of Education.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (source)
California Coalition of Travel Organizations
California School Boards Association
OPPOSITION: (Verified 6/15/17)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 69-0, 5/18/17
AYES: Acosta, Travis Allen, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Caballero, Cervantes, Chávez, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gomez, Gonzalez Fletcher, Gray, Grayson, Harper, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Rubio, Salas, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wood
NO VOTE RECORDED: Aguiar-Curry, Calderon, Chau, Frazier, Friedman, Gipson, Gloria, Holden, Mullin, Santiago, Rendon
6/16/17 11:22:26
**** END ****
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Senator Benjamin Allen, Chair
2017 - 2018 Regular
Bill No: AB 341 Hearing Date: June 14, 2017
Author: | |||
Version: | February 7, 2017 | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | No |
Consultant: | Ian Johnson | ||
Subject: School field trips: expenses
SUMMARY
This bill authorizes school district funds to be used to cover the expenses of pupils participating in field trips or excursions to other states, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country.
BACKGROUND
Existing law:
- Prohibits the assessment of student fees for participation in an educational activity in public K-12 schools.
- Authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to:
- Conduct field trips or excursions to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for students enrolled in elementary or secondary schools, and transport students and staff for this purpose, provided that the governing board secures liability insurance for this purpose.
- Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
- Provide supervision of students involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
- Prohibits a student from being prevented from taking a field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Requires governing boards to coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for students in need.
- Prohibits a group from being authorized to take a field trip or excursion if a student who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Prohibits expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country from being paid for with school district funds.
- States that expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section may be paid from school district funds and the school district may pay from school district funds all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during a field trip or excursion.
- Prohibits the Superintendent of Public Instruction from providing transportation allowances for field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination.
ANALYSIS
This bill:
- Removes the prohibition on school district funds being used to cover the expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country.
- Removes the authorization for expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion to another state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country to be paid from school district funds, and the authorization to use school district funds for all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during the field trip or excursion.
STAFF COMMENTS
- Need for the bill. The author states that “According to a study conducted by the Wagner Group and the U.S. Travel Association, students that have partaken in educational travel have benefited both academically and financially. Findings of the study include:
- 57% of students who participated in educational travel attained a college degree or continued post-graduate work compared to just 33% of those who did not participate in educational travel.
- 59% of those who take educational trips achieve better grades.
- Students who travel on educational trips in their youth earn nearly 12% more (or $5,000) annually later in their careers than those who do not travel.
Current law prohibits a pupil enrolled in a public school from paying fees for participation in educational activities.
This bill will provide school districts with the discretion to pay for out-of-state travel where appropriate which will increase student access to educational opportunities and improve the outcomes that students experience, leading to more successful careers and a better quality of life.”
- Local control over district funds? In 2013, the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) was enacted. The LCFF establishes per-pupil funding targets, with adjustments for different student grade levels, and includes supplemental funding for local educational agencies serving students who are low-income, English learners, or foster youth. The LCFF replaced almost all sources of state funding for local educational agencies, including most categorical programs, with general purpose funding including few spending restrictions.
While many of the spending restrictions associated with former categorical programs went away when the LCFF was adopted, the Education Code continues to include various restrictions on how school districts can design and fund certain services. School districts wishing to cover field trip expenses with district funds must apply for a waiver from the State Board of Education. The committee should consider whether it is necessary to restrict how school districts fund pupil costs related to field trips, given the flexibility provided by the LCFF and the need for school districts to have the ability to design programs that best meet their local needs.
SUPPORT
California Coalition of Travel Organizations
California School Boards Association
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (sponsor)
OPPOSITION
None received
-- END --
Date of Hearing: May 10, 2017
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Patrick O'Donnell, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 341 (
Author:Frazier) – As Introduced Ver:February 7, 2017
SUBJECT: School field trips: expenses
SUMMARY: Deletes the prohibition on using school district funds for field trips or excursions to other states or countries. Specifically, this bill:
- Deletes the prohibition on the use of school district funds for the purposes of expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country.
- Deletes the authorization for expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion to other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country to be paid from school district funds, and the authorization for school districts to pay from school district funds all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during such a field trip or excursion.
EXISTING LAW:
- Prohibits the assessment of student fees for participation in an educational activity in public K-12 schools.
- Authorizes the governing board of a school district or the county superintendent of schools of a county to:
- Conduct field trips or excursions in to and from places in the state, any other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country for students enrolled in elementary or secondary schools, and transport students and staff for this purpose, provided that the governing board secures liability insurance for this purpose.
- Engage instructors, supervisors, and other personnel to contribute their services over and above the normal period for which they are employed by the district, if necessary, and provide equipment and supplies for the field trip or excursion.
- Provide supervision of students involved in field trips or excursions by certificated employees of the district.
- Prohibits a student from being prevented from taking a field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Requires governing boards to coordinate efforts of community service groups to supply funds for students in need.
- Prohibits a group from being authorized to take a field trip or excursion if a student who is a member of an identifiable group will be excluded from participation in the field trip or excursion because of lack of sufficient funds.
- Prohibits expenses of students participating in a field trip or excursion to other state, the District of Columbia, or a foreign country from being paid for with school district funds.
- States that expenses of instructors, chaperones, and other personnel participating in a field trip or excursion authorized by this section may be paid from school district funds, and the school district may pay from school district funds all incidental expenses for the use of school district equipment during a field trip or excursion.
- Prohibits the Superintendent of Public Instruction from providing transportation allowances for field trips or excursions that have an out-of-state destination.
FISCAL EFFECT: This bill has been keyed non-fiscal by the Office of Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
Need for the bill. According to the author’s office, this bill was introduced in response to the experience of the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. According to the school district, in the spring of 2016, the Armijo High School and Grange Middle School VEX Robotics teams qualified to attend the world robotics competition which was to be held in Kentucky. Without financial support from the District, the students and the teams would have been unable to compete. The district applied for and received a waiver, allowing them to use district funds to pay for the excursion. The school district has since had to submit subsequent waiver requests for out-of-state robotics competitions.
Inequities in ability to fundraise. For out-of-state trips, districts cannot charge students and cannot use school district funds, so fundraising is the only means of financing these trips. For students from lower income families or communities this may present an insurmountable barrier to participation in out-of-state events.
State Board of Education waivers. According to the author, since 2011 the State Board of Education has approved eight waivers of the prohibition on using school district funds to support out-of-state trips.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (sponsor)
California School Boards Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Tanya Lieberman / ED. / (916) 319-2087
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):